There is probably no species of wildlife more iconic of Central Oregon than mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Their elegant adaptations to the arid ecoregions east of the Cascades and their seeming ubiquity across both rural landscapes and urban areas give us the impression of an abundant population. But long-term studies show significant declines in regional mule deer herds. Protecting their winter range is one of the most effective measures we can take to slow and reverse this decline.

Wildfire has always had a place in the fire-adapted ecosystems of Central Oregon’s arid forest, scrub steppe, and grassland.

Highways present formidable barriers to wildlife movement. Thousands of deer and elk are hit by vehicles and injured or killed every year in Oregon; these wildlife-vehicle collisions also result of course in human injury, loss of life, and many thousands of dollars in property damage.

Birds are excellent indicators of environmental health and ecosystem integrity,” state the authors of the study; this staggering decline in numbers, along with similar broad population crashes in amphibians and insects, reflects an accelerating unraveling of the fundamental fabric of the natural world.

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have been in the news a lot recently as more sightings occur in Central Oregon and across the west. They are handsome and secretive animals, native wildlife, and elegantly adapted apex predators.